Me, Me, I'm First!

Me, with Mimi Imfurst

Over the summer, last year, Dan and I watched some Dvd's of past Dragapalooza performances. On one DVD, was a familiar face.  Mimi Imfurst, who is one of the most hated RuPaul's Drag Race queens, was performing on the same stage with Shaunna Rai. I watched amazed, and was at a loss for words.

When Styxx announced Mimi's Holiday Hangover Show was coming for one night, and the cover was only $5, it was a given that I would have to go. I needed Mimi to redeem herself for doing androgynous drag at the Pride finale on Peaks Island. I needed a picture, so I had proof that I had met her. And, the androgeny just wasn't going to work for me.

Just after the announcement was made, Shaunna Rai made the announcement that she would be performing with Mimi and a "new" girl, from New Hampshire, Cece Georgia. I quickly rushed to update the poster with the guest performers.

Mimi visited my parents' table, and kept grabbing my drink.

Over the next few days, I heard about how Mimi was texting Dan, talking about how excited she was for the show, and getting music sets for everyone. And, in the meantime, I'm just still thinking how cool it is that my boyfriend is texting Mimi Imfurst. 

Since the show was two days after Christmas, I made it part of my parents' gifts. They came to visit, took me out to eat (since Dan doesn't eat until Shaunna is packed away) and we got a doggie bag for later.

Having been given a time constraint on when to be back, I made sure we made it back on time.  Then came the process of putting on the body. This is the part that I think I like the least. I know what needs to be done, and I have a bad habit of not communicating what I need Shaunna to do. Needless to say, it causes a bit of tension.

 For the first time, my mom saw exactly what goes in to putting Shaunna Rai together. For the rest of the night, she couldn't stop talking about it.

We got to Styxx early. So early, that Mimi wasn't even Mimi yet. Finally they opened up the dance room, for the show. I bought the tickets and then we went in to wait for the show to start. 

Cece finally showed up, and looked lost. Doing my duty, I showed her to the dressing room.

Shaunna Rai

Finally, it's show time. Mimi comes out, introduces everyone, and starts her performance. Somehow, I had forgotten that Mimi actually sings live. And, in the first song, my feelings toward Mimi as a performer changed completely.

Given that during Mimi's appearance on Drag Race, she picked up India Ferrah, and earned a place as a "Villain", she ended up relatively low on my list of queens I wanted to meet. But, after seeing her performances, she earned my respect. Mimi is now at the top of my list of queens I would see again.

Shaunna, as usual was amazing. It was funny hearing Mimi talk about Shaunna. What I didn't know is that Shaunna has been around since before Mimi was created.  Hearing Mimi call her a legend and "historic" was really cool.

Cece Georgia

I was nervous for Cece, since it was her first time in Portland, and she was working with someone famous...and needed to impress. She did great. As a photographer, I had a hard time getting pictures of her, just because she was in the audience more than on the dance floor/stage.

And, just like that, the show came to an end. My parents had to leave, as mom had to work early in the morning. After they left, I went out back, and got in a couple of selfies with Mimi and Shaunna. We stayed for a couple drinks, then it was time to go home and get some food.

Mimi proved that she could bring it, the same way she did on the Drag at Sea Cruise, roasting Michelle Visage. Seeing her live and in person, she is super sweet and, not at all the villain she was portrayed as on RuPaul's Drag Race.  And, unlike many of the Drag Race performers that I've seen come "from away," she didn't "dumb it down". Maybe she picked someone up during a lip sync for her life, but I think it's time to forgive her and move on. Thank you, Mimi Imfurst, for a great show, and giving me a reason to reexamine what I thought I knew.